In-bound call directed telephone station and method of directing a telephone station based on an in-bound call

Abstract

An in-bound directed telephone station, and a method of directing a telephone station based on an in-bound call, are disclosed. The inbound directed telephone station includes a handset having a call receiver and a call originator, a first memory location, coupled to the call receiver, and a comparator coupled to the first memory location and to the call receiver. Upon receipt of an inbound call by the call receiver, the comparator compares an identifier of the in-bound call to an identifier list in the first memory location and terminates receipt of the in-bound call by the call receiver. Upon locating a match between the identifier list and the identifier of the in-bound call, the comparator automatically activates the call originator to perform a function associated with the in-bound call identifier. The method includes receiving a call at the telephone, activating an identification system based on the receiving, which identification system identifies the origination of the in-bound communication, associating a function with the in-bound communication based on the origination, terminating the in-bound communication after the activating of the identification system, and automatically performing, by the telephone, of the function associated with the in-bound communication.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 350,059, filed on Jan. 18, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for directing a telephone station and, more particularly, to an in-bound call directed telephone station and a method of directing a telephone station based on an in-bound call.[0004]2. Description of the Background[0005]Telephone stations, and in particular, cellular telephone stations, normally offer a variety of telephone features. These features may include, for example, return call. However, during normal operation of the telephone, most of such features are accessible only to the person in possession of the telephone, and not to an in-bound caller.[0006]It is known in the art that an in-bound caller can call a telephone station and access messages, or change the manner of receiving messages. However, such accessing is...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, during normal operation of the telephone, most of such features are accessible only to the person in possession of the telephone, and not to an in-bound caller.

Thus, in order to activate a feature of the telephone, such as return call, from a remote location using the prior art, the telephone would have to actively change its function by answering the call, thereby interrupting operation of the telephone, and receiving information entered by the remote caller.

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